Doctors and other staff who work for primary healthcare provider EOPYY refused on Monday morning to hand over control of the organization’s polyclinics, despite the demands of Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis.

Speaking on Mega TV, Georgiadis said that the doctors would be held responsible for any damage to the clinics or equipment if they failed to comply.

The doctors are being asked to relinquish control of the centers as part of a shakeup of primary healthcare that will change the way EOPYY works.

The doctors say that an official decision for the closure of the polyclinics has not been published in the Government Gazette. Georgiadis said the legislation would be available in print later on Monday.

The minister insists the polyclinics will reopen 30 days later under a new system.